J. C. Daniel (naturalist)

This article is about the naturalist. For the filmmaker, see J. C. Daniel.

Jivanayakam Cyril Daniel
Born	(1927-07-09)9 July 1927 Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, India
Died	23 August 2011(2011-08-23) (aged 84) Mumbai, India
Known for	The Book of Indian Reptiles and A Century of Natural History and Conservation in Developing Countries
Scientific career
Institutions	Bombay Natural History Society

Jivanayakam Cyril Daniel (9 July 1927 – 23 August 2011), or J. C., as he was known,[1] was an Indian naturalist from Nagercoil, and the author of several acclaimed books on birds, mammals, and reptiles.[2]

Life and work

Influenced early in his life by Sálim Ali, he had a long association with the Bombay Natural History Society, where he served as a curator from 1950, and was then its first director. After retirement in 1991, he was elected an Honorary Member and was also its Honorary Secretary.^[citation needed]

His books include The Book of Indian Reptiles and A Century of Natural History and Conservation in Developing Countries. He co-authored Indian Wildlife – Insight Guides Lion Section. He revised Ali's Book of Indian Birds for its 12th edition, published in 1996.[3]

He was also executive editor of the society's journal and the initiator of the Hornbill magazine.^[citation needed]

He was diagnosed with cancer and died in Mumbai on 23 August 2011.

Legacy

J. C. Daniel is commemorated in the scientific name of species of lizard, Bronchocela danieli.[4]

References

1. "J.C. Daniel: Naturalist extraordinaire". Sanctuary Asia Interviews. April 2000. Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 20 April 2007.
2. "Conservationist JC Daniel dies of cancer". The Times of India. 25 August 2011. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
3. Ali, Salim; J.C. Daniel (1983). The Book of Indian Birds, Twelfth Centenary Edition. New Delhi: Bombay Natural History Society/Oxford University Press.
4. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. ("Daniel, J.C.", p. 65).